Hilda.
[Goes towards the door.] But in the office where that young lady is
Solness.
Stay where you are, Hilda!—I ought to tell a lie, you say. Oh yes, for the sake of his old father I might well do that—for in my time I have crushed him, trodden him under foot
Hilda.
Him, too?
Solness.
I needed room for myself. But this Ragnar—he must on no account be allowed to come to the front.
Hilda.
Poor fellow, there is surely no fear of that. If he has nothing in him
Solness.
[Comes closer, looks at her, and whispers.] If Ragnar Brovik gets his chance, he will strike me to the earth. Crush me—as I crushed his father.
Hilda.
Crush you? Has he the ability for that?
Solness.
Yes, you may depend upon it he has the ability! He is the younger generation that stands ready to knock at my door—to make an end of Halvard Solness.
